Convict changes story of '03 attempted murder

Jonathan McMeekin said he initially took the blame for the 2003 attack on Sandra Rogers' ex-husband because he wanted to protect her.

That changed Tuesday when he attempted to put the blame back on Rogers, his former lover, while testifying at her trial on charges of attempted murder in the near-fatal attack on Rogers' ex-husband and his wife.

McMeekin said from the witness stand that he watched Rogers bash in her ex-husband's head with a sledgehammer the night of the attack. McMeekin was 17 years old at the time; Rogers was 47.

"I didn't want Sandy to get in trouble," he said. "I cared about her."

McMeekin, now 26, pleaded guilty to attempted murder and has served about half of a 20-year sentence.

Rogers had also pleaded guilty to attempted murder in the case in 2004. But last year, she was allowed to retract her guilty plea and go to trial, though she remains in prison.

Under questioning Tuesday, McMeekin admitted that, at various times, he has told four versions of events to authorities about the attack, which took place in the Lincolnshire town house of Rogers' ex-husband, Rick Rogers.

After the attack on May 19, 2003, McMeekin was picked up by police at Mundelein High School and questioned. He told police he was responsible for the attack.

In a second statement that afternoon, McMeekin told police that Sandra Rogers wanted her ex-husband dead but that she was not involved in the attack.

"I told investigators that we talked about Rick and she had talked about how if he died she was going to get her kids back," he said.

In his third and final statement that evening, police told him that they knew he lied about the way he entered the house.

In July 2003, McMeekin made his final statement to members of the Lake County state's attorney's office. He said he told them the truth about what happened that night — this time saying Sandra Rogers was involved — but omitting one detail of his story.

"I told them I only slept with (Sandra Rogers) once," said McMeekin, who testified Monday they had sex on numerous occasions for several months.

McMeekin lived with Rogers and her daughter Robin, who McMeekin was dating. He said he moved in when Robin was 13.

Rogers' trial will resume Wednesday.

Michael Holtz is a staff reporter; Ruth Fuller is a freelance reporter.